Zvirekwi rallies CAPS United

By Don Makanyanga

CAPS United’s utility player Hardlife Zvirekwi has called on his teammates to shed their recent dip in form and mount a spirited push for a first league title since 2005.

Zvirekwi has been an integral part of Makepekepe’s pursuit of glory on several fronts this season and like the club’s demanding supporters, has been frustrated by the club’s recent failures in the Commander ZNA’s Charities Soccer Shield final as well as the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals.

CAPS were humiliated 0-6 by FC Platinum in the Charities Soccer Shield final before the same team defeated them 0-1 in the Chibuku Super Cup.

Prior to those two games, the Green Machine played out a goalless draw with Bantu Rovers in a league game on September 4.

And following the successive cup defeats, Makepekepe failed to win yet again, this time drawing nil-all with How Mine at Rufaro Stadium in the capital last Sunday, a result that meant they remained four points off the pace in the title race.

In an interview with The Zimbabwe Mail, Zvirekwi insisted Makepeke were still in the running for the league title, calling on the team to be consistent and stay  focused in their remaining games.

“We are not far when you consider our position on the log standings as we are only four points behind the log leaders. All we need to do is to remain united in our cause, which is to win the championship at the end of the season,” said Zvirekwi, who, like club head coach Taurai Mangwiro, stressed the need to be more precise in front of goal.

“We have to be consistent in the remaining seven games and our aim is to collect maximum points in all the matches. That will be crucial in our bid to win the championship.

“We need to pull up our socks when it comes to the conversion of chances. We create a lot of chances, but finishing them off has been our shortcoming this season. However, we hope to score more in the remaining matches,” added Zvirekwi.

Following last Sunday’s post-match incident when a section of the club’s supporters vented their anger on gaffer Taurai Mangwiro after the goalless stalemate with How Mine, Zvirekwi said they understood the fans’ frustration, but castigated the timing of the protests.

“They have a right to be angry because sometimes we put up a blunt show when they are expecting a five star performance. They are only human and are bound to react like that sometimes. But I do not think the timing (of the protest) is right. What we need most is for them to rally behind the team at this moment in time,” he said.

CAPS, who have now failed to score in their last four games in all competitions,   face tough tests in their next two games, with an away fixture against army side Black Rhinos to be followed by a home clash with bogey side Highlanders, a match that has been touted as one of the decisive games in the race for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title.

“Every match is going to count and it (the game against Highlanders) will be of utmost value. I think it will be one of the matches that determine the two teams’ title chances,” said Zvirekwi, who admitted that the recent internal strife that hit CAPS United as players pressed for their unpaid dues should be avoided if they are to be crowned league champions this year.

On September 3, CAPS United players threatened to boycott the trip to Bulawayo for a league match against Bantu Rovers in protest over their dues, and a few days later lost 0-6 to FC Platinum with some observers attributing the defeat to a lack of focus by players who were still demanding what they are owed by the club.

“We cannot run away from the fact in football you need to have peace of mind to perform on the field of play. Sometimes we need the whole focus to be on the championship so we do not need that kind of distraction. We have to have our focus on the job at hand,” said Zvirekwi. The Zimbabwe Mail